Fighting Zika: Fairfax Cryobank Offers New Program for Olympic Attendees

To help limit the spread of the Zika virus, Fairfax Cryobank is offering one year of free semen storage (sperm banking) for any male who wants to bank sperm prior to attending the 2016 Summer Olympics and/or Paralympic Games in Rio, Brazil as an athlete, coach, trainer, spouse, family member, member of the media or other attendee. Brazil is in the midst of an outbreak of the Zika virus, known to cause serious birth defects. Men bitten by a Zika infected mosquito become infectious themselves and may spread the virus to their sexually intimate partner even if the man does not exhibit any symptoms of the virus. The Zika virus can be detected in seminal fluid for up to three months after a man is infected, and is sexually transmissible during that period, putting partners and new offspring at risk.

"Providing this program to help athletes and others attending the Olympics to have healthy babies by using Zika free sperm to conceive is the best way Fairfax Cryobank can support US participation in the Games," says Michelle Ottey, Ph.D., Fairfax Cryobank's Laboratory Director.

Men can bank semen on-site at a Fairfax Cryobank Laboratory or via the Priority Male Kit mail-in kit. Each man who banks sperm under the Olympic program will receive one year of free storage with proof of their travel. Basic fees for depositing sperm will apply.

The 2016 Summer Olympics will take place in Rio Aug. 5-21 and the Paralympics will be held Sept. 7-18, 2016.

Although using insect repellent may help to prevent bites from mosquitoes, it does not guarantee that a man will avoid exposure to a Zika infected mosquito. Men who want to conceive a child while they are away or after they return and do not wish to delay conception for at least three months can bank their sperm prior to traveling to Rio. The banked sperm can be used for insemination or for IVF to achieve pregnancy. It could even be used by a partner in the U.S. to achieve pregnancy while the man is traveling. Fairfax Cryobank offers sperm banking for clients at four conveniently located locations: Austin, TX; Fairfax, VA; Philadelphia, PA and Roseville, MN.

Men not located near a laboratory can use the Priority Male mail-in sperm banking kit. The cost of banking is available on the Fairfax Cryobank website (http://globalmessaging2.prnewswire.com/clickthrough/servlet/clickthrough?msg_id=8267731&adr_order=206&url=aHR0cHM6Ly9mYWlyZmF4Y3J5b2JhbmsuY29tL3NwZXJtLXN0b3JhZ2UtZmFxcw%3D%3D). Once the basic fee for banking is paid, Fairfax Cryobank is offering the one year of free storage, regardless of the number of vials stored. Men who wish to bank under the Olympic program will need to provide proof of travel to the Olympics or Paralympics. A copy of a plane ticket, reservation or other document for travel to Rio will be acceptable.

Based in Fairfax, VA, Fairfax Cryobank is one of the world's largest and most experienced sperm banks. Fairfax Cryobank offers exceptional donor sperm, sperm storage and embryo storage services. Fairfax Cryobank meets the highest stands of screening and testing and is fully compliant with all FDA regulations.

Fairfax Cryobank is a division of the Genetics & IVF Institute (GIVF) . Founded in 1984, GIVF has pioneered many innovations to help couples have healthy babies through advanced reproductive technologies.

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For more information, please contact:

Trina Leonard, marykatrinal@gmail.com or 301-351-2336

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